2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: Our expectations from the new model [Update]

Update: ‘Next-gen RAV4 reportedly arrives next year’ section added.

Toyota promptly releases new versions to keep its vehicles attractive to buyers for sustained periods. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the brand’s best-selling hybrid model in the U.S., is expected to receive a 2024 model year update in Summer 2023. Here’s what we expect from the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid:

Design

2024 will likely be the last or second-last model year of the fifth-gen RAV4’s Hybrid variant on the market. It’s unusual for any company to introduce exterior changes at the end of a vehicle’s lifecycle, and we expect Toyota to follow the norm. Customers who desire an all-new design will have to exercise patience until next year to get the next-gen RAV4 Hybrid, which we’ll come to later in this article.

The RAV4 Hybrid will continue to sport a muscular stance. It’ll feature wraparound LED headlamps upfront, an upright bonnet, squared-off wheel arches, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Toyota will likely offer it in 13 paint options, including four dual-tone color schemes:

• Magnetic Gray Metallic
• Lunar Rock
• Wind Chill Pearl
• Ice Cap
• Cavalry Blue
• Midnight Black Metallic
• Ruby Flare Pearl
• Blueprint
• Silver Sky Metallic
• Cavalry Blue/Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Wind Chill Pearl/Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Magnetic Gray Metallic/Midnight Black Metallic roof
• Silver Sky Metallic/Midnight Black Metallic roof

Interior

Inside, too, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid should loom the same as the outgoing model, in which the Toyota Audio Multimedia system was a new feature. Developed by the Texas-based Connected Technology team, the Toyota Audio Multimedia system has over-the-air (OTA) updates capability. Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation, Destination Assist, and Google Points-Of-Interest (POI) data are optional. Lower grades should feature the 8.0-inch version of this infotainment system and higher grades should have the larger, 10.5-inch version.

A 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster will likely be standard in the range-topping trim. The virtual instrument cluster might be available as an option in select mid-level trims, which, along with the base trim, should have a 7-inch driver information display as standard. Other tech features inside the 2024 RAV4 Hybrid may include Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi hotspot, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music subscriptions.

Safety

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid should pack Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) as standard. The previous version was equipped with TSS 2.0. A new feature includes the ability to detect oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists at intersections. The Pre-Collision System provides audio-visual alerts and can even autonomously apply brakes in emergencies. The Emergency Steering Assist can also stabilize drivers’ evasive maneuvers to prevent lane departure. 

TSS 2.5 also includes the Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). The feature maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in the front at any speed and can take over braking and acceleration depending on the pace of the cars ahead. DRCC works with Lane Trace Assist and Lane Departure Alert that help the vehicle stay centered in its lane by providing slight steering assistance. More active safety systems include Blind Spot Monitor, Road Sign Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Parking Assist.

2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Specifications

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid should have the same specifications as the outgoing model. Under the hood, the Toyota New Global Architecture-K (TNGA-K) platform-based hybrid SUV will have the 219 hp Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) that combines the 176 hp/163 lb.-ft. 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, Atkinson Cycle gas engine with two electric motors, a 118 hp/149 lb.-ft. unit at the front and a 54 hp/89 lb.ft. unit at the rear. The electric motors will draw energy from a 1.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. Those worried about battery life would appreciate that it gets ten year/150,000 miles warranty.

The front wheels will get their drive delivered through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). The rear wheels won’t will spin using the dedicated electric motor. The e-AWD drivetrain layout of the 2024 RAV4 Hybrid will help drivers power it out of low-grip situations.

At low speeds, the 2024 RAV4 Hybrid will be able to run on pure electric energy, albeit for short durations. There’ll be constant brake energy recuperation in stop-and-go traffic, thanks to frequent braking—the battery will regain energy to power the motors. The driver will be able to select from five drive modes using a rotary dial on the center console: Sport, Normal, Eco, EV, and Trail Mode.

We expect the 2024 RAV4 Hybrid’s gas-electric hybrid powertrain to return a fuel economy of up to 41 mpg (city)/38 mpg (highway)/40 mpg (combined).

Price

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid’s prices will likely start at around USD 31,500.

Next-gen RAV4 reportedly arrives next year

Reports say Toyota is developing an all-new, sixth-gen RAV4, which, like the current, fifth-gen model, will be available as a hybrid EV. The company plans to unveil the all-new SUV in 2024 and release it in the U.S. for MY2025. If the rumors are true, the MY2024 update to all the gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants of the outgoing RAV4 will be minimal. Toyota may revise the equipment of some grades and make any immediate fixes needed and reserving more significant improvements for the next-gen model.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Sales

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the best-selling Toyota hybrid car in the United States. In 2022, the brand sold 149,938 units of the electrified SUV in America, 23.9% higher than in 2021 (120,983 units) and the highest in the model’s history. The RAV4 Hybrid’s main rivals include the Ford Escape Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

In Q1 2023, Toyota sold 19,633 units of the RAV4 Hybrid in the U.S. Compared to Q1 2022, when it delivered 38,952 units, sales were 49.6% lower. The massive decline in sales could be down to supply shortage.

TopElectricSUV says

The large-scale adoption of hybrids in the U.S. isn’t a realistic vision, considering that several electric cars with long-range batteries will soon come available at the same price point. The non-hybrid RAV4’s quarterly sales are comparable to the RAV4 hybrid’s yearly sales, indicating that the masses prefer the gas-only version due to multiple reasons like comparatively high purchase prices and maintenance costs.

That said, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of the best compact SUVs available in the U.S. today. With low fuel consumption, a wide trim selection, and affordable prices, the country’s best-selling hybrid SUV offers something for almost every customer looking for a new frugal daily driver. The recently launched Toyota bZ4X isn’t easily available, affordable, or practical for most customers, and for them, the RAV4 Hybrid is an ideal match!

Featured Image Source: Toyota

Suvrat Kothari Freelance Assistant Editor

I’m an automotive journalist with 4 years of experience in magazine and digital publishing, content creation, social media management and YouTube. A car enthusiast who converted my passion into a profession!